Do people touch your car?

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Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2012: Do people touch your car?
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Seth H. Spratlin on Monday, July 30, 2012 - 01:46 pm:

This is a new phenomena for me. Usually with the newer (60's muscle) cars that I've fooled with, people are very respectful and just look.

However, I guess something about my yellow speedster says "TOUCH ME!" It's really not my favorite thing when I've polished the brass and someone runs their greasy fingers all over it.

I don't want to be a jerk, but it seems rather presumptuous of other folks to lean on my car while they ask me questions about it. Nobody has hurt it or scratched it or anything but it makes me raise an eyebrow and ponder their lack of couth.

Is it something about Model T's, or is it just me and my car? Just wondering what other's experiences are.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Steve Jelf, Parkerfield KS on Monday, July 30, 2012 - 01:58 pm:

T folks in general seem to have a different attitude about that. I've even seen a sign saying, "TOUCH BUT DON'T LOOK". A lot of us like to have people sit in the car, have their picture taken, even go for a ride. And maybe there's something about Model T's that invites familiarity. I don't know about the psychology of that. But I can certainly understand somebody who's worked hard to have a show car wanting it left alone. Maybe a DON'T TOUCH sign would help.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dick Lodge - St Louis MO on Monday, July 30, 2012 - 02:03 pm:

I seem to recall a sign that read, "Antique cars are like other men's wives.... You can look, but don't touch!"


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ricks - Surf City on Monday, July 30, 2012 - 02:04 pm:

Somebody posted this here:


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Seth H. Spratlin on Monday, July 30, 2012 - 02:05 pm:

Lol, well it's not a show car by any means. And I'm more than happy to tell folks all about it, and questions, offer rides, take pics, whatever.

It's just new and weird to walk out of the hardware store and have someone practically already sitting in the car because they are trying to figure out the pedals and coil box.

It's just not in my nature to do that with someone else's car. If it's what I can expect, that's fine. It's just been very odd.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jim Patrick on Monday, July 30, 2012 - 02:05 pm:

A legitimate concern. If you don't want folks close enough to touch your car, you may want to consider a post and rope barrier such as can be seen around this Big T model I built. Jim Patrick


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jim Patrick on Monday, July 30, 2012 - 02:09 pm:

LOL! :-). Of course I was referring to a car show setting. Not when driving to the store or while parked in a parking lot when running and errand in your car. Jim Patrick


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Seth H. Spratlin on Monday, July 30, 2012 - 02:09 pm:

That's a great picture. Although how it doesn't overheat with that radiator is beyond me.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ricks - Surf City on Monday, July 30, 2012 - 02:15 pm:

You could always follow the people to their car, get in and start dicking with it.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Seth H. Spratlin on Monday, July 30, 2012 - 02:15 pm:

Yeah Jim, I took it to a car show and everybody looked but stood back a little. Whereas at Sonic, the hardware store, pretty much everywhere I've parked it and gone inside, I come out to at least one, sometimes two or three, people looking and all over the car. Again, nobody is hurting it, and I really don't mind, it just wasn't something I was expecting.

I mean literally, I walked out of the hardware store and one guy is laying on the ground completely underneath the car, and another guy has his hand on the steering wheel, foot on the step plate, and other hand on the windshield, his other foot was off the ground. Plus, they didn't know each other! LOL, it was just bizarre. *shrug* I took pics of them individually sitting in the car with their own phones, and road with one guy in the parking lot.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Fred Dimock, Newfields NH, USA on Monday, July 30, 2012 - 02:23 pm:

Seth - That must be a N Carolina thing.
Up here it is hard to get someone to touch or sit in the T.

Except one old guy that insisted that HE show me how to start it with the crank.
He gave up after a few tries so I quietly turned the key on and it started with my one quick pull.
I smiled and said that it knows who it belongs to! :-)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bob Coiro on Monday, July 30, 2012 - 02:24 pm:

A few years ago, I saw something that was just beyond the pale. A woman at a car show climbed up on the runningboard-mounted Prest-O-Lite tank, past the spare tire and through the gear-shift and brake levers, into the driver's seat of a 1910 (or thereabouts) White Touring. Her companion snapped pictures of her as she repeatedly squeezed the dried-out horn bulb.



The noise attracted the car's owner who came a-running—and I have to hand it to the guy—he kept his cool and without raising his voice, politely asked the woman to get out of the car. His attitude was good for the old car hobby and good for that particular car show. I doubt that, were I in his place, I could have contained my outrage as well.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dave Kekacs on Monday, July 30, 2012 - 02:26 pm:

Anytime I go anywhere I always have people touching the car. the best ones are the ones that know nothing about T's but are explaining to there friends exactly how they work (of course there completely wrong)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bob Bishop, San Diego on Monday, July 30, 2012 - 02:27 pm:

I've always let people sit in my T's for pictures and honk the bulb horn, but they've generally been polite enough to ask first (in fact, I've heard parents telling their kids "Don't touch!" before I've told them it's OK).
However, a couple of years ago, I let a 6 y/o sit in the front seat for a picture. When his mom attempted to get him out afterwards, he threw a temper tantrum and kicked in the side panels (original) of the front seat doors. Still haven't been able to find older looking panels to replace them with--new ones just wouldn't look right!.
I'm a little more leery now of kids!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dave Hjortnaes, Men Falls, WI on Monday, July 30, 2012 - 02:27 pm:

I filled up with gas the other day and gave a lady a ride around the gas station pumping area. She was thrilled.

People will put their kids in my Speedster and take pictures. Sometimes I feel like asking them for a sitting fee. They treat it like it is playground equipment.

Other times I ask them if they would like to put their kids or themselves in the car and I will take their picture. On a very rare occasion I have even crank started the car so they can feel how the car starts, but this is only if I know them.

It always attracts attention. Doesn't help that I put decals of Bucky Badger all over the car.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Seth H. Spratlin on Monday, July 30, 2012 - 02:31 pm:

Fred: I guess I just live in an unusually goober dense area.

Lol, I've had folks get excited to see me crank it (no starter on my '14) and then I rip it a few good times. Only then I remember I don't have the key on yet.

Bob: When I read your story my mouth fell open. I just can't wrap my brain around what possess's some folks.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jim Patrick on Monday, July 30, 2012 - 02:34 pm:

I found several humorous signs which gently get across the message. Jim Patrick


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Seth H. Spratlin on Monday, July 30, 2012 - 02:36 pm:

Hey Dave K! I see you're in J-Action-Ville NC! Ha ha, I'm just right up the road in Havelock. I haven't quite got the speedster up to snuff enough yet to cruise down that way, but I hope after I get the Anderson Timer (it's supposed to arrive in the mail today) installed and the float-valve for my NH carb fixed I'll be able to. It'd be cool to see another T while I was out in mine.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jim Patrick on Monday, July 30, 2012 - 02:36 pm:

I found several humorous signs which gently get across the message. Jim Patrick


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Danial - Veneta OR US Earth Solar System on Monday, July 30, 2012 - 02:50 pm:

I encourage it. But respect others' desires to set the space around their cars appropriate to their comfort level.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mike Spaziano, Bellflower, CA. on Monday, July 30, 2012 - 02:51 pm:

Whenever I see someone messing with my car I get a little riled. I'm not talking about opening doors to look inside, it's no show car by any means. I'm talking about getting in the car and yanking on the choke rod, throttle/spark levers, etc.

I usually find unattended children doing this. I remind them (and their soon to arrive parents) that this is not a ride that has escaped from Knott's Berry Farm. I let them know that "This is MY car" and that I'd be glad to show them the car but please get out.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By George Button III (Chip), Lake Clear, NY on Monday, July 30, 2012 - 03:25 pm:

I go to a lot of shows with my Depot Hack. In my mind, it is a "Show Car that we drive the pants off of"!!!! I do spend a lot of time keeping the brass as nice as can be and the traditional lacquer paint at a "knuckle deep" shine. With the amount of driving we do, it can be a lot of extra work, but I enjoy it and get rewarded every time I go to a show. I have no objection to letting someone(preferably) young children sitting in the car for a picture by there folks or an elderly person wanting to get a picture of themselves in the car to bring back memories. I do prefer to assist anyone that gets into my T . As for touching, that can be another story! I have several severe scratches from jewelry, unattended kids running up and jumping on the running-boards, several bad scratches on the brass, and I believe one individual has "Ford" in script permanently burnt into his chest!!
I do put polite signs on the car, but I don't think some people can read. I do like the one "I don't touch your Wife, Please don't touch my car"
Don't get me wrong, I enjoy nothing more than taking a young child for a ride, or an elderly person for a ride, and watching their faces light up and smile, I just tend to get a little riled when someone has no respect for someone else's hard work and feels the need to "fondle" my car. I guess in other words we all under stand "Look but Please do not F^%#&*g Touch!!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ricks - Surf City on Monday, July 30, 2012 - 03:32 pm:

Cars with starter buttons on the floor are especially vulnerable to accidents.

I like the sign, "Don't Wake the Dog." . . . Maybe we could come up with something as subtle.

I used to have a sign, "DANGER machine may start at any time."

How about a sign, "Where's your car? I may want to climb on it, too."


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dick Lodge - St Louis MO on Monday, July 30, 2012 - 03:33 pm:

I don't fault the children. I fault the parents who nowhere along the line took the time to teach their children to respect other people's property. Of course, it's also possible that the parents were never taught...


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By George Button III (Chip), Lake Clear, NY on Monday, July 30, 2012 - 03:34 pm:


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By George Button III (Chip), Lake Clear, NY on Monday, July 30, 2012 - 03:35 pm:

Well said Dick!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Richard Eagle Ida Fls on Monday, July 30, 2012 - 03:37 pm:

It's ironic we try to make the cars look as attractive as possible and then don't want people to touch them. I'm not near as fussy as I was 30 years ago and don't want people to distur
bd the sheen and polish on the really nice cars. But if I'm am with the car I'll let folks crawl in take pictures and enjoy them. that's why I have them. Most people seem very respectful of them and pleased if I let them sit in them. I did have a fellow walk up, open the trunk and take a coil out and start playing with it. Every body has a different perspective of show cars.
Rich


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Norman T. Kling on Monday, July 30, 2012 - 03:44 pm:

All of my T's look good, but they are not "show cars". I don't enter any car shows where you have to pay to enter. Each person will decide what they will or will not tolerate with their own cars. I encourage people to ask questions and sit in my cars, occasionally I give rides. Recently I had a girl who wanted her picture taken ask if she could sit in the car. This girl was about 8 years old and before I could get the door open she was climbing over it! Fortunately she didn't scratch it. I also drove over to a new neighbor to welcome them to the neighborhood. One of the kids asked if he could sit in the car. I let him sit, but he was fiddling with the controls including the parking brake. That I didn't like. He was also about 8 years old. He also tried to climb over but I got it open in time. Kids don't realize the doors on a touring can be opened, because the handles are hidden on the inside. We encourage younger people to touch and familiarize themselves with the cars. These cars will outlive us and will need a new generation of caregivers. If they get used to the cars as they are, they will be less likely to make hot rods out of them.
Norm


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Craig Anderson, central Wisconsin on Monday, July 30, 2012 - 04:44 pm:

I'm with you Norman....... :-) .......except your T's might look better than mine.
If at a place where hitting the starter button might happen I just twist off a battery cable as I haven't actually tightened one yet.
One sign that gets on my nerves is the "You toucha my car I breaka your face" sign.......I walk past those........


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Larry Bohlen, Severn MD on Monday, July 30, 2012 - 04:58 pm:

Bob,

The owner of the car in your story should have handed the idiot woman in question an invoice for the purchase of her "new" car. Because she was treating it as is was hers....

Larry


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Rob Patterson, OZ on Monday, July 30, 2012 - 05:00 pm:

For my T I've made a laminated A4 sign saying...

"Please dont touch.
I'm old and grey and I bruise easily"
Thank You,
"Anastasia"

Seems to work. Maybe because its humourous as well as factual.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ricks - Surf City on Monday, July 30, 2012 - 05:06 pm:

Maybe an old hippie bumper sticker would work:

"Ass, Gas or Grass; Nobody Rides for Free."


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dennis Halpin on Monday, July 30, 2012 - 05:22 pm:

When I invite people to 'mess' with my car, that's one thing. When people come along and just decide it's some kind of amusement park ride, that's something else. I've been known to be less than civil when I come out of a store and find somebody in or standing on my car.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Hal Davis-SE Georgia on Monday, July 30, 2012 - 08:01 pm:

My A would qualify as a show car and I'm a little more picky with it. Neither the TT nor the Touring are restored, and while I don't want any more scratches or dents than they already have, I will let people get in them. But like Dennis, I only want them to do so when I give permission. I came out of Tractor Supply one day and found 3-4 Hispanic guys (Most likely migrant farm workers) with the hood up on my TT. I asked them if it was their truck. They said No. Then I asked them where their truck was, because I wanted to go lift the hood on it. All of a sudden, they couldn't Habla.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John Aldrich Orting Wa on Monday, July 30, 2012 - 08:38 pm:

None of my 3 cars are "show cars" and I encourage folks to "touch" it. Mine are not garage ornaments and I am OK with folks enjoying them almost as much as I do.
Like most here, however, I would never presume to touch someone else's car.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John Semprez-Templeton, CA on Monday, July 30, 2012 - 09:27 pm:

Hey, I Don't Care. If someone wants to touch my car.. great I don't own it, I'm just the steward for now.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Aaron Griffey, Hayward Ca. on Monday, July 30, 2012 - 09:39 pm:

Mine are not show cars either, but then the spectators' cars in the parking lots are not show cars either and they would sure be psseid if we went out there and started monkeying around with them.
I once heard Bruce McCalley tell about Walter Rosenthal going to his T and finding a family in the car.
They were moving all the levers, etc.
Walt asked them if it was their car.
When they said, "No" he asked where their car was.
After they pointed it out he went over and got in and was rolling the windows up and down and the owner went over and got on his case.
Walt just said," I thought that what everyone else did so I thought that's what you're supposed to do around here".

I think car owners should not encourage spectators to fiddle with cars without the owner's OK.
If people go to a car show/display with the attitude that it's ok it won't be long before car shows will be a poor place to park your car.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Terry Horlick in Penn Valley, CA on Monday, July 30, 2012 - 10:59 pm:

About 12 years ago our HCCA group helped out our local state park which was having it's annual do.

We came with about 6 cars from the teens which we dispersed about the grounds as a display to compliment their living history activities. I had my '13 there on display and had to go help out at another location.



When I was ready to leave I got to my car and discovered that it contained a family and their children. I explained that I needed to take my car home, daddy was a bit grumbly but he cleared out of the driver's seat. The rest of the family couldn't be bothered by me even though I repeated that I was leaving and my car was going with me.

The frowns turned to smiles when I cranked the engine and got in. I proceeded to drive out of the park and went most of the 1/4 mile to my home. I stopped the car about 1/2 block away from my home and turned the car off. Got out and left for home. The "guests" said hey, "how are we going to get back?" I don't remember exactly what I said but it involved shoe leather.

Please excuse me but I did this while not in the best mood. You see I had noticed that junior in the rear seat had climbed in over the rear fender and he had gravel imbedded in his sneaker. He had spun 180° on the fender upon entering leaving a permanent swirl in the fender's finish... which remained there until I sold the car.

Part of the inexplicable thing about T's is that the public seems to think that anything they do to them is ok. If some uninvited dweeb jumped into your Gull wing Mercedes and tore the leather seats they might find you a little testy also!

TH


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Val Soupios on Monday, July 30, 2012 - 11:07 pm:

"If you don't run your fingers over my car I won't run my car over your fingers". Most people seem to get the message! Actually, I don't mind people touching the car. I just enjoy the reaction when people read the sign!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dick Fischer on Monday, July 30, 2012 - 11:37 pm:

Aaron, I can corroborate your story about Walt Rosenthal giving the abusive family a lesson in courtesy. My Dad and Walt were contemporaries and good friends. According to my Dad, the way Walt initially got their attention was by honking the horn (in their modern car) over and over.

I didn't really know Walt, but my Dad laughed until he had tears in his eyes when telling that story.

I don't show my car much, and then only at closed attendance car gatherings. But I've often thought that a nice, polite sign would be, "It'll probably be OK, but please ask the owner first". For people who still don't get the message, I owe them no further courtesy.

Dick Fischer


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Chris Bamford, Edmonton AB on Monday, July 30, 2012 - 11:40 pm:

I'm happy to let people sit in the car, take their pictures, and generally get physical with it — if they ask first. A little leaning in to get a better view if I'm not around to ask is just fine too.

But I get very cranky when people get or let their kids get in and fool around without the courtesy to ask. Last week a couple opened the doors and let their kids inside my '26 Touring for pictures as I was about 1/4 block away. I went up the the parents and asked "Would you please give me your home address and a house key? I'd like to send my grandkids over to your place sometime and play in the house while you're away." They got all embarrassed and ordered the kids to apologize. I told the kids that it wasn't their fault — they just weren't being raised right and taught to respect other people's property.

Speaking of permission to look closer at the car during a show...




Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mike Garrison on Tuesday, July 31, 2012 - 12:12 am:

My ex-wife and I built a '38 Ford pickup about 6 years ago. We had one of the area's best body men do the metal work and paint and paid an extremely large amount of money for just the body work and paint much less the custom interior, hopped up flathead and inlaid walnut in the bed boards. It was a total frame off restoration and took us 3 years and every dime we had. Last year we split and I let her have the '38. Since then I've bought a couple T's and there's no way I'll ever tell someone they can't touch my cars. I got so sick and tired of having to stay glued to that truck to make sure nobody got too close. Car shows were far from enjoyable when I wasn't able to leave and see the rest of the cars at the show. So no more bad guy. When I'm not near the car at a place where there's a lot of people I shut the gas off and pull the key out of the ignition. When I hear the horns being honked I smile. When I'm asked to take pictures I gladly oblige. When someone wants a ride I give them a ride. To deny people these experiences just don't seem like a nice thing to do. But, all that being said; If I let some kid sit in my car have a tantrum and kick the door panels in I'd immediately turn to the parents and softly request they learn to discipline their child so it understands it's not right to have tantrums and destroy other people's property. Then I'd let go of the husbands throat and...


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By mike_black on Tuesday, July 31, 2012 - 12:25 am:

I never seemed to notice people touching my other T's, but, people seem obligated to touch the brass parts of my 15 to see if they're real!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Steve McClelland on Tuesday, July 31, 2012 - 12:44 am:

Something about the shiny Brass it tends to attract all ages, like pack rats. I've got a couple days of cleaning lined up now just to get the finger prints off my brass.
But what really pissed me off was a grown up with a cherry snow ball leaning over my "white" fender dripping his frozen drink from top to bottom and didn't even wipe it off... I guess that's the price you pay for letting folks look.
I may spring for a crackle paint job and let all my brass turn brown... I think I would enjoy it more than I do now.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Russell Day on Tuesday, July 31, 2012 - 02:58 am:

For the guys with all the good looking brass, give the touchers something to do with their hands. A sign reading: "If you wipe off your fingerprints, the police can't tell me where to send the cleaning bill". Supply a polishing rag. People are less likely to do something if it costs them their own labor.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By kep NZ on Tuesday, July 31, 2012 - 03:29 am:

Looking under a car to see how the springs work is ok i do that all the time but i do have a problem with people jumping on the hood or the roof and denting it. Or going inside and taking things.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Peter Kable on Tuesday, July 31, 2012 - 06:13 am:

I've had kids use the front guards as slippery dips one guy put his grossly overweight kid on the front guard to take a photo of him, damn kids bent the guard top right on the edge of the bracket. Nearly impossible to get it out without removing the rivets for the bracket underneath.

A similar story to Walt Rosenthal's, the boss I used to work for had a large collection of cars including several Silver Ghost Rolls Royces. On one outing he took a 1914 RR sedan that was his wife's favorite car for a picnic. After parking the car and moving over to the picnic tables with other members a guy comes up opens the door of the Rolls gets in wriggles the steering wheel tries out the gear leaver fiddles with the switches gets out and slams the door.

Upon seeing this my boss having seen the car the guy was driving gets up goes to his car gets in shakes the steering fiddles with the switches and the gear lever and gets out slamming the door.

The guy races up and challenges him what "What do you think you are doing to my car"? To which he answers "exactly the same thing you were doing to mine"


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Fred Dimock, Newfields NH, USA on Tuesday, July 31, 2012 - 09:02 am:

Most people are polite and have taken the time to train their kids, but there a few self centered people that think they are entitled to do anything they want.
The idiots make it hard for the good people!

When we lived in rural KY, my foreman told me that it I could use his pickup anytime I needed it.
He said that he always left the keys in the ignition and all I needed to do was leave my car close by so he had something to drive if he needed it. (I assume that he thought everyone left their keys in the ignition.)

Try leaving the keys in the ignition anywhere in RI and your vehicle would have a half life of 60 seconds - don't lock the doors in Mass and everything inside the vehicle will be gone before you get back from getting coffee or mocha latte at Dunkin.

I'll stop before I say something that becomes inflammatory and in not PC.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Richard Gould on Tuesday, July 31, 2012 - 09:46 am:

I saw a nice 26 touring car at a car show. A family was standing nearby and one of the small children was swinging on a top bow while the father looked on. The bow broke just as the owner approached. I didn't stick around.

I own a pretty nice Model F. The paint job on the body is flawless. I took it to a guy for some engine work and as he was talking to me, he was leaning on the fender. That should have alerted me. When I got the car back he hold me he had driven it to a car show and hoped I didn't mind. I also noticed scratches, swirl marks on the body due to using an abrasive cloth or paper towel to clean off the oil that flew up. All from a guy who owns an early one cylinder car. When I came to pick up the car, I saw it parked in a public lot and his establishment was closed for the day. I drove it on to the trailer and drove away. Lucky I came early or the car would probably have sat out all night. When I got the car home and inspected the timer, I saw significant wear on the races. Also I noticed the drive chain had been stretched such that it banged against the frame. That guy must have put many miles on the car during the couple of weeks it was in his possession.
That was a year ago and I am still upset about it.



Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Judy Edwards on Tuesday, July 31, 2012 - 10:04 am:

The worst case of abuse I ever experienced was to my Dad's 1934 Chevrolet, which I now own as I bought the car out of his estate. This car is all original with 34,000 miles on the odometer. We have a record of ever quart of oil and gallon of gas that has ever been put in the car as well as all the registrations. The original owner kept a little book in the glove box and entered the oil and gas information into it every time he went to the station.

The car was on display at the Mall for the day, and we stepped away for just a minute-our mistake. When we returned we found a kid sliding down those wonderful sloping fenders using them as a slide. Unfortunately, they were wearing jeans with studs. Those scratches will forever be on the fender until I repaint the car. Now whenever any of our cars are on display, I make sure that either my husband or I are car sitting.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Seth H. Spratlin on Tuesday, July 31, 2012 - 10:11 am:

Well, I'm glad it's not just me. Like most I'm willing to do just about anything that folks ask for, but when they just go ahead and act like it belongs to them it's really aggravating.

I really like the sign that says Old cars are like wives or lovers, I may have to make up something like that and set on the windshield anytime I'm away from the car.

Richard: that's just CRAZY! I can't fathom why anyone would think driving the car to a car show without consulting the owner (I mean, if someone brought their car to me to work on, I wouldn't ask them to do something like that in the first place). AT MOST, I can see starting it to test whatever engine work was done, but that's it.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Greg Whaley, Georgetown Ontario Canada on Tuesday, July 31, 2012 - 10:19 am:

Whenever we had the 27 Hack out, it attracted people like flies. It wasn't a perfect show car by any means, but it did look not bad. We used to take it to the local car shows, and was one of the few "T"s that attended.

I had left it unattended for probably ten minutes one afternoon, and came back to find two kids sitting in the front fenders and one straddling the hood as their father took their picture. I almost jammed a camera down a mans throat that day...I asked him what would possess him to do that and his answer was "it's old, who cares? they wanted a picture of them on it".

It's hard to blame the kids when the dad is a moron.

That was five years ago and my blood still boils when I think about it.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Seth H. Spratlin on Tuesday, July 31, 2012 - 10:31 am:

WOW. "It's old, who cares?" BAM, I'd have decked him right there. Just reflex, jab, jab, right cross. Hooo-weeeee! That's making MY blood boil just thinking about it.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Luke Dahlinger on Tuesday, July 31, 2012 - 10:38 am:

It's happened to me on several occasions-

Had a load of scrap cranks and cylinder heads in the bed of the A Pickup. Stopped at a greasy spoon for lunch, came out and here's a tweaker trying to unload my truck into his. I yell "what the h*** are you doing you ignorant bas****?", he looks over drops a cylinder head right on the fender takes off running. Chased him down, got in a fistfight and the cops arrested the guy.

When I was working at a funeral home, I'd routinely drive one of the old Fords. One day I'm helping the boss do a procedure and I hear the horn ahooga. I can't stop what I'm doing, luckily one of the other guys went out there.

Some kids had cut thru our property, saw the Roadster sitting there and were sitting in the car playing with the lights & horn, etc. One of them had something in their back pocket as there were several little puncture marks in the seat upholstery.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jim Patrick on Tuesday, July 31, 2012 - 11:13 am:

Too bad there's not a way to hook up a tazer to the body of the T and use it when we are away from our cars. 50,000 volts would be a good reminder to ignorant SOB's to not touch what doesn't not belong to them. I wonder if having "Danger! High Voltage. Do not touch" signs on all side like an electric fence would be fair warning. LOL! :-). Jim Patrick


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Norman T. Kling on Tuesday, July 31, 2012 - 11:29 am:

There is a way to hook up a "tazer" A Model T coil makes a good one. If you could hook it up to a battery with a movement sensitive switch and connect the high voltage output to the body it would set them back. Just remember to disarm it before you get in!
Norm


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Aaron Griffey, Hayward Ca. on Tuesday, July 31, 2012 - 11:30 am:

Swinging on a top bow??
It's just an old car??
I will not read any more of this thread. It has my blood boiling already.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By William L Vanderburg on Tuesday, July 31, 2012 - 01:03 pm:

If you look at my profile, you see my car. I don't care if people touch it. I DO care if people insist on getting in it without asking first.

I look at it this way, if they ask then maybe there's a new convert in the works....


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jim Patrick on Tuesday, July 31, 2012 - 01:37 pm:

Norman. And equipped with a sign: "Fair Warning. High Voltage. Stay back if you can hear the buzz".


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dick Lodge - St Louis MO on Tuesday, July 31, 2012 - 01:50 pm:

Related to this, I got an interesting glimpse into how a kid's mind can work in the mid-sixties. An Air Force friend and I co-owned a 1956 Austin FX3D Metropolitan Taxicab, which we had decided to sell. I had it here in St Louis, where I was driving it as my daily car. There were "For Sale" signs in the windows. One day I was in a supermarket and heard the taxi's horn. I went out and there was a kid about 10 or 11 sitting behind the wheel. I said, "Get out of my car." His answer was, "It's not yours. It's for sale."

In his view of the world, something that was for sale didn't belong to anyone until someone bought it....


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Eddy Lee Emerson on Tuesday, July 31, 2012 - 01:51 pm:

My friend and mentor, Archie, had a 1915 touring with original paint. He displayed it at a car show on the downtown square. He was away from the car for a few minutes, and when he came back two children were sliding down the fenders and their mother was putting sand on the fenders so they could slide faster. Ed


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Seth H. Spratlin on Tuesday, July 31, 2012 - 01:56 pm:

Alright, so, I was just trying to find out what other people's experiences were on this subject. But SAND ON THE FENDER'S TO SLIDE FASTER?!? I didn't know this thread would evolve into everyone's horror stories. I'm not going to be able to check this thread anymore because it makes me want me alternate between wanting to barf and wanting to throw something.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dick Lodge - St Louis MO on Tuesday, July 31, 2012 - 02:03 pm:

Seth, I'm more inclined to want to throw someONE rather than someTHING....

God must have loved morons, since he made so many of them....


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bob McDonald-Federal Way, Wa. on Tuesday, July 31, 2012 - 02:36 pm:

I had a friend that purchased a very nicely restored Model A. He and his family drove it over to our place and parked in the driveway,The wives went in side to visit and the kids went out back to play. He wouldn't leave the front steps where he sat the hole time and watched his car.After they left my wife said that wasn't a way to enjoy the car. At shoes he set up ropes and if any one came to close he would "not very politely" run them off. A few years ago (30 years later)I stopped by for a visit and ask where the car was and he had sold it because he got to up tight about people being around it. Each to there own, BUT enjoy what you have with others.

Bob


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bob McDonald-Federal Way, Wa. on Tuesday, July 31, 2012 - 02:46 pm:

Sorry
I was thinking of the Ed S. big Shoe, this was at car shows.

Bob


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Wayne Ashton Rosenkrans on Tuesday, July 31, 2012 - 07:58 pm:

In my experience folks are generally pretty respectful of an old car, either at a show or the supermarket. I've not had the "pleasure" of finding a kid sliding down the fender of my Model T, A, or V-8. I have had many kids trying to look over the door at the inside, so I've opened the door and their dad has lifted them up to see so they don't stand on the running board. I guess I've just been lucky.

However, I was marshalling aircraft into parking areas at an airshow many years ago and almost got into a fistfight with a lady who was smoking on the flight line with signs all over saying no smoking. She wanted to know what the stuff was that was leaking under a very rare and highly flammable Hawker Hurricane. Some people just have no sense.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bob McDaniel(Indiana Trucks)Star City In on Tuesday, July 31, 2012 - 08:39 pm:

So far I have not had my truck out much but most people don't touch it. I stay close to it but have had the door opened and hands on the fenders already. I worked hard for 32 years looking for parts and then doing the body and paint work on this truck. I want to let people see it and love to drive it. I will take some people for a ride BUT, do not open or close my doors because they are 87 year old wood and if you open them too far they will hit the fenders and if you slam them they will break. I don't want to rope it off but if someone is going to do some of the stuff listed by others on here, I might. It's old and I care!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Danial - Veneta OR US Earth Solar System on Tuesday, July 31, 2012 - 10:15 pm:

I had a beautiful 64 Falcon hard top that I always parked out on the "back 40" of any parking lot.

Came out of the bank one day and there was an older fella with my driver's door open and his head stuck inside looking around.

I walked up behind him and made him jump when I calmly stated, "Some folks might get more than a little bent out of shape finding an uninvited guest in their car."

He apologized profusely and then went on to tell me all about the one he had in high school back in the 60s.

No harm, no foul, but it was a bit startling. One of those cars I wish I still had.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Wayne Sheldon, Grass Valley, CA on Wednesday, August 01, 2012 - 03:41 pm:

Much of this is why I have said for so many years that "the perfect antique car is an older restoration that is nice enough to park next to the best ones on a major tour without feeling ashamed of it. Yet is rough enough that you don't worry about someone putting a scratch in it".



And the speedster doesn't have fenders for kids to slide down! Plus, the coupe's door locks work. On the other hand I have seen strangers try so hard to open a locked door that I was afraid they would twist the handle off.
I have, several times, quietly walked up to strangers messing with my car and startled them with the comment "some people really get upset with strangers touching their nice cars! But I don't mind. I like for people to look at them." They usually apologize profusely. Then I chat with them for a bit and show them a few more things. I often feel I've made a friend, even though I will probably never see them again.
Drive carefully, and enjoy, W2


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Fred Dimock, Newfields NH, USA on Wednesday, August 01, 2012 - 04:01 pm:

Some of this makes me wonder if it is possible to get someone to pay for the damage kids do to a vehicle, especially if the parents are standing there letting them do it.

If someone was caught keying a new car or putting dents in a vehicle would the police do anything about it?

Have we as a society gone so far as to not having respect for other people's property?

OH -- I forgot - The have nots believe that they can take anything they want from those that work for a living.
And if you don't agree they will get the government to take it away from you so they can have it.
How do you spell Socialism? Oh I got it! it starts with an O!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By george house on Wednesday, August 01, 2012 - 04:40 pm:

Only TODAY I drove the '14 runabout into New Braunfels then out to Gruene where I stopped for a couple dips of ice cream in a cup. The place was loaded with tourists and probably a hundred pictures were taken of the T as I sat quietly by. Then about 8 college age girls with about six cameras started to swarm over it. I said, "Gee, wish I woulda known this was such a chick magnet about 40 years ago!" to peels of their laughter. For the most part people somehow associated me with the T and respectfully asked permission to photograph it I allowed folks to sit in it. Don't think I'd leave it unattended tho'.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Gary Hagen on Wednesday, August 01, 2012 - 04:53 pm:

I was at my friend Daves house parked in the shade and one of his neighbors down the street stopped by to look. He asked all of the usual questions. Then he started hitting the body (nice paint) with his wedding ring and asked. Is this one of those fiberglass bodies? ('14 Touring.) I said no and said that there is nothing worse after spending 4 weekends cleaning it and someone has to put their hands on it. Guess he got the message, he didn't stay around too long after that.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Rick Nelson on Wednesday, August 01, 2012 - 06:00 pm:

I like people to touch my brass radiator after I have driven in to a car show. One man had the nerve to chew me out and said I should warn people its hot, I pointed out the PLEASE DO NOT TOUCH sign in my windshield. Everybody laugh at him . Most of the time I find young kids the most respectful, and offer those a seat inside.
Rick


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dennis Halpin on Wednesday, August 01, 2012 - 06:46 pm:

Being a 'Hot Rodder', I'm usually the only guy with a (stock) Model T at the shows I go to. My pals have 'look but don't touch' cars that they have spent thousands and thousands of dollars on. They spend all day wiping them off and polishing the chrome. That's not my idea of fun. Aside from the usual 'tech. inspection' that it's just smart to do to a Model T before hitting the road, I might dust it off and empty the (Red Neck) ash tray.

But usually, that's about it. :-)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Floyd Voie - Chehalis, Washington on Wednesday, August 01, 2012 - 08:28 pm:

One day I had my 23 touring idling in Mom's driveway, I had just started it andthe hood was still open. One of the neighbors pulled up next to it on his bicycle and began adjusting the carb!
He was a guy in his early 60's and no I didn't know him!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By kep NZ on Wednesday, August 01, 2012 - 11:25 pm:

Wow smoking next to a "No smoking" sign and asking what all the gas leaking out is, i had no idea the world was populated by so many stupid people, i hoped they were confined to the area where i live.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFIU-KMWqSM&feature=topics


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By kep NZ on Wednesday, August 01, 2012 - 11:27 pm:

Worst part is stupid people are the majority and are allowed to vote. They also think intelligent people have to be exterminated...


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bernard Paulsen, San Buenaventura, Calif on Thursday, August 02, 2012 - 01:20 am:

Great reward to have a Stanley Steamer and watch people touching the blistering boiler to see if it's really hot. Fun, fun, fun!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By mike_black on Thursday, August 02, 2012 - 11:17 am:

I'm going to wash my TT and Hack today to put them on display Fri afternoon-Sun morning at the annual rodeo in town. I did that last year and they were a big hit, so, the owner asked me to bring them back this year. The people were pretty considerate last year. They were placed so that everyone entering the gates had to walk between them, and I didn't notice an "excessive" amount of touching. Now that you made me so aware of it with this thread, it'll probably drive me crazy this year!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Seth from NC on Thursday, August 02, 2012 - 11:28 am:

LOL at people touching the boiler. I mean, I don't want to see people get hurt. However, watching someone put their hands on it and then jerk back like they were hit with a cattle prod has got to be hilarious.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ricks - Surf City on Thursday, August 02, 2012 - 11:52 am:

Back when I was in the Army in W. Germany, my Mother-in-Law, who was visiting, was kicked out of a German department store for handling all the merchandise. She had a long-ingrained habit of picking up and handling everything that caught her eye.

I'm not defending any rude actions, but to some people, touch is an important part of seeing and learning. If a little kid touches a hot brass radiator: Oh, well, he's learned.

rdr


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bernard Paulsen, San Buenaventura, Calif on Thursday, August 02, 2012 - 01:37 pm:

I had the same experience with girls' breasts. Today I can tell just by touching them if they are real or quality reproductions.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Joe Van Evera on Thursday, August 02, 2012 - 05:04 pm:

Can't you get really "burned" by doing that, Bernard?!?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mike Green - So Cal on Friday, August 03, 2012 - 12:54 pm:

Whenever I go to the local cars & coffee I light up the cowl lights and leave them burning for the entire show. Great conversation piece--hey buddy, you left your lights on--my response: it's okay, they will burn for a day or so...(laughter abounds)

Also, it seems like those cowl lights on the touring are really inviting to set one's hand on to lean over and see an open engine bay...grab the chimney of a burning lamp and see the reaction...that will teach ya!


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